Sasol taps Emerson to automate planned Louisiana cracker, GTL complex

The automation program’s overall scope -- including dozens of integrated process units and more than 100,000 measurement and control points -- makes it one of the largest Emerson has been awarded.

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Sasol has chosen Emerson Process Management for a comprehensive
program to automate its planned integrated gas-to-liquids (GTL)
and world-scale ethane cracker complex in Lake Charles,
Louisiana.

The automation programs overall scope -- including
dozens of integrated process units and more than 100,000
measurement and control points -- makes it one of the largest
Emerson has been awarded.

Sasol said it anticipates a total investment of $16 billion to
$21 billion in the two facilities. When completed, the GTL
plant will transform the regions abundant low-cost shale
gas into high-performance, low-emissions diesel and other
transportation fuels.

The adjacent ethane cracker and derivatives plant will convert
ethane to ethylene and other downstream derivatives.

As main automation contractor, Emerson will provide the
majority of the process automation technologies, engineering,
and ongoing support services for the operations under a
long-term agreement.

Emerson has the expertise, technologies, and experience
-- particularly on large, complex projects -- to help us optimize the
return on these investments for years to come," said Johan du
Preez, executive vice president of US mega projects for Sasol.

Emersons automation solution for the Sasol plants is
based on its PlantWeb digital plant architecture,
which includes its industry-recognized control and safety
systems, control valves, and measurement and analytical
instruments. Initial automation planning and engineering work
will begin immediately, according to the companies.

This project will tap natural gas
supplies to generate high-value products and help grow the
economy," said Steve Sonnenberg, president of Emerson
Process Management

Emerson has added more than 2,500 engineers and said it is
extending its services program to provide rapid and
comprehensive support to keep plants running at peak efficiency
and reliability. Emerson noted that it
is also planning a significant service facilities and personnel expansion in
Louisiana, including the development of a global service
center in Gonzales, Louisiana.

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The investment of 16 billion to 21 billion US Cy. means that such GTL project shall produce more than 1.5 million barrel/day products like naphtha and clean diesel indeed and less than ten years of period of return because the related issuance said nothing about that actually.